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This book is a bit like John F. Kennedy's PROFILES IN COURAGE. This author takes about a dozen former presidents, beginning with Washington, and relates their individual story. The stories show how each president had the courage to make a major decision that benefited the "People" and not his re-election campaign. In the face of criticism from Congress, and sometimes the people, each president stressed for days and weeks and months to make the proper ruling on what was to be a benchmark of his presidency. In many cases, the problem for the president wasn't as well known as some, but each one was an important decision during his life. It would have been well if the author had named each president in the table of contents. As it is, you can't tell, without reading the entire book, which presidents are highlighted and where each ones story begins and ends. But this is a minor glitch to a well written book and a "must read" for any person who enjoys history, like myself. I'm sure that these stories will give the reader much insight into some of our greatest heroes of our country.Read full review
Michael Bescholss has become one of our most visible historians, in part through his willingness to appear on both public tv and venues like the late lamented Imus in the Morning. None of these appearances would matter if he didn't have anything of value to say. Of course the reason he is invited to appear is that he not only has something to say, but it is insightful and beautifully written. In this book he deals with several crisis periods in presidential history. He tells the story clearly and then incisively draws meaning for the larger American Story. Whether it is Washington's struggle over the Jay Treaty, Adams balancing the place of England and France in American life or FDR supporting England when public opinionwas decidedly isolationist, Beschloss helps us understand our own story. He places a great deal of emphasis on courage, yet makes it clear that courage is different from stubbornness or going it alone. Courage involves wisdom, a moral compass and can only be differentiated for stubborness with the gift of time-perhaps a wise thing for people on both sides of our current political landscape to remember I strongly recommend this book. It is an excellent addition to the study of the presidiency and an excellent discussion of leadership for both the public and private sector.Read full review
I am enjoying reading the book.It is a very informative book that gives alot of information about the men that have run our Country.
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